Monday, August 18, 2008

VP Picks and Timing Solidify

Obama leaks the three contenders, with the final selection to be announced Wednesday morning:

"Mr. Obama was said to be focused mainly on three candidates: Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware."

Could Kaine pull out the long shot? Some think Obama's schedule might indicate so.

Meanwhile, McCain picks the date for his VP announcement: Friday, August 29th, the day after Obama's speech. Timed for maximum election bounce squashing possibility (though it's likely to mess up the bouncing hyperbolic, the end result would likely be the same anyway).

McCain's top choices: Romny or Pawlenty, with a possibility of Lieberman (I think Ridge has been officially nixed, and I don't know how he helps the "crossover" appeal anyway).

But don't count out a dark horse like Alaska governor Palin or Louisiana's Jindal. With Obama going for a "safe" non-Hillary pick, there's a good chance McCain will court Hillary voters and attempt to gin the story by announcing a female VP for the ticket. That would be groundbreaking if it weren't that Ferraro had already been there, done that.

Unless McCain puts Hillary on the ticket. Hey - think that's impossible? Think she wouldn't accept? I'm not so sure. The two campaigns have practically mirrored one another already...there'd be no ramp up necessary. And don't discount just how much the Clintons hate Obama. It would be a brilliant masterstroke that would seal the election for McCain.

But don't worry, Democrats. The seething Clinton-haters on the right would never allow it. But it's fun to think about, isn't it? And Clinton would get to star in not one, but two conventions. That alone might tempt her to accept....(though the "flip flop" charge would be pretty high profile on that one, huh?)

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